Phenylketonuria Some Current Problems

Abstract

I say, on the evidence provided by only a few cases in our Liverpool Series, 'it is possible . . .that a mean SPA below 10 during the first two years of treatment will permit reasonable intellectual development'.Reasonable development may be excellent in comparison with the subnormality to be expected without treatment, but still fall short of the child's full potential.It will be seen from the Table in our article that we aim at levels below 10 mg. and achieve this in most of our cases.Horst Bickel (personal communication) claims that the serum phenylalanine should be kept below 4 mg./ 100 ml.if the best results are to be attained.I agree with Komrower that we still need more information regarding the optimum degree of dietary control.